Free days out · Botanic Garden, Holyrood Park, the Royal Mile and free museums · Checked against source pages
Free Things to Do in Edinburgh, and When Paying Is Worth It
Find your Edinburgh experience
A free day plan
One day can combine the Royal Mile’s historic stops, the national collections, Calton Hill and Holyrood Park, all free to enter.
- Walk the Royal Mile between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, stopping at St Giles’ Cathedral and the Royal Mile’s museums.
- Visit the National Museum of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery, both free.
- Climb Calton Hill by its paved path, a short and easy walk to the top.
- Spend time in Holyrood Park, open 24 hours; climb Arthur’s Seat by the Green Route or walk Salisbury Crags.
The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the historic spine of the Old Town, connecting Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Good to know
- The Royal Mile runs down the Old Town and connects Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse via a mile of cobbled street.
- A free Edinburgh Greater Grassmarket Historic Trail map can be picked up from shops in the area.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is one mile from the city centre, and its 72 acres are free to enter.
Good to know
- The Garden opens at 10am, closing at 5pm from February to October, 4pm in November and January, and 3.30pm in December.
- The Garden closes on 25 December and 1 January, and in extreme weather it may close, so check before visiting.
- There are two entrances: the West Gate on Arboretum Place (EH3 5NZ) and the East Gate on Inverleith Row (EH3 5LP).
- Buses 8, 9, 23 and 27 serve the East Gate; buses 29 and 24 serve the West Gate. Bicycle stands are at both gates.
Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat
Holyrood Park is Edinburgh’s largest greenspace, roughly circular and about a mile in diameter, and most of it is open to roam freely.
Good to know
- The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round and is free to visit.
- Arthur’s Seat stands 251 metres above sea level; the Green Route is an easier walk to the summit and passes Dunsapie Loch.
- From Dunsapie Loch, a further 30-minute walk reaches the top of Salisbury Crags.
- Dogs are welcome if owners clean up, and cycling is allowed on roads and the green path beside Queen’s Drive.
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland has free admission.
Good to know
- Its Millennium Clock chimes every hour.
Scottish National Gallery
The Scottish National Gallery is in the heart of the city and is one of the top free attractions in Edinburgh.
Good to know
- Located in the heart of the city.
- One of Edinburgh's top free attractions.
Calton Hill and the Nelson Monument
Calton Hill has a paved pathway, making it a short and easy walk to the top.
Good to know
- The Nelson Monument was built in memory of Admiral Lord Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
- Weather permitting, the Trafalgar flag signal is still flown on Trafalgar Day, 21 October.
St Giles’ and the Royal Mile’s museums
Four historic stops line the Royal Mile itself.
Good to know
- St Giles’ Cathedral stands on the Royal Mile and was founded in the 1120s.
- The Writers Museum is one of Edinburgh’s free museums and sits on Lawnmarket on the Royal Mile.
- The Museum of Childhood is the first museum in the world dedicated to childhood and sits on the Royal Mile.
- The People’s Story Museum is in the historic Canongate Tolbooth and covers the 18th century to the late 20th century.
Dean Village, Pentland Hills and Leith
Walks and neighbourhoods sit outside the centre.
Good to know
- Dean Village is a short walk from Princes Street and sits on the banks of the Water of Leith; the walkway suits bicycles, buggies and wheelchairs.
- Pentland Hills Regional Park is in the south-west of Edinburgh and has a 100 km interlinked walkway.
- Leith ranked 16th on Time Out’s list of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world. The Custom House and Custom Lane hold free events, pop-ups and exhibitions.
Nearly free: donations and free extras
Some free things ask only for a donation or a picked-up map.
Good to know
- A free Edinburgh Greater Grassmarket Historic Trail map can be picked up from shops in the area.
- Some Edinburgh attractions offer guided tours free of charge, or some may ask for a voluntary donation.
- The Custom House and adjoining Custom Lane in Leith hold many free events, pop-ups and exhibitions.
Free versus paid: our verdicts
One budget call comes up most often: the Old Town’s museums versus the paid guided tour at Edinburgh Castle.
| Option | Our verdict |
|---|---|
| The Royal Mile’s museums, versus Edinburgh Castle’s guided tour | The museums cover the Old Town’s story; pay for the guided tour only if you want the castle’s 12th-century military history and a 30-minute guide. |
When paying is worth it
Pay where free stops: a guided tour at Edinburgh Castle costs extra and is booked ahead.
Good to know
- Edinburgh Castle dates back to the 12th century, a royal residence and military stronghold; a guided tour ticket includes a 30-minute guide and costs extra.
- The Real Mary King’s Close tour lasts 60 minutes and is a paid alternative on the Royal Mile’s history.
- Booking Edinburgh Castle online a few weeks prior is advised, with morning slots busier later in the day.
Edinburgh tours and activities on Mubboo
The Royal Mile, Holyrood Park, the national collections and the Botanic Garden stay free; paying is only for the Castle and specialist tours.
Explore Edinburgh Before You Book
Take a virtual drive or walk, then find tours and tickets for the places you like.
Where paying is worth it, and where it is not
Spend on Edinburgh Castle’s guided tour or a specialist walking tour. The Royal Mile, Holyrood Park, the Botanic Garden and the national collections stay free.
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Questions people ask
Is Holyrood Park free and open all day?
Yes. Holyrood Park is free to visit and open 24 hours a day, year-round, with most of the park open to roam freely.
Is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh free?
Yes, the 72-acre Garden is free to enter. It is one mile from the city centre, and opening times vary by season.
Which Royal Mile museum is free?
The Writers Museum is one of Edinburgh’s free museums and sits on Lawnmarket on the Royal Mile.
Is Arthur’s Seat difficult to climb?
Arthur’s Seat stands 251 metres above sea level; the Green Route is an easier walk to the summit and passes Dunsapie Loch.
Is Calton Hill an easy walk?
Yes, Calton Hill has a paved pathway, making it a short and easy walk to the top.
Plan deeper in Edinburgh
Sources (5)
Every figure above was checked on the dates shown.
- VisitScotland, 10 Amazing Free Things to Do in Edinburgh — www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/attractions/free/edinburgh (checked 2026-09-23)
- Historic Environment Scotland, Holyrood Park: Plan your visit — www.historicenvironment.scot/visit/all/holyrood-park/plan-your-visit/ (checked 2026-09-23)
- VisitScotland, 12 Fascinating Things to Do in Edinburgh — www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/edinburgh/things-to-do (checked 2026-09-23)
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Plan your visit — www.rbge.org.uk/visit/royal-botanic-garden-edinburgh/ (checked 2026-09-23)
- City of Edinburgh Council, Nelson Monument (Calton Hill) — www.edinburgh.gov.uk/directory-record/1086068/nelson-monument (checked 2026-09-23)